.freight-calc-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
background: #f9f9f9;
padding: 30px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.freight-calc-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.freight-row {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 20px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.freight-col {
flex: 1;
min-width: 200px;
}
.freight-label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #444;
}
.freight-input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.freight-input:focus {
border-color: #3498db;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(52,152,219,0.3);
}
.calc-btn {
display: block;
width: 100%;
background: #2980b9;
color: #ffffff;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
margin-top: 20px;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background: #1c6ea4;
}
.freight-results {
margin-top: 30px;
background: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 6px;
border-left: 5px solid #27ae60;
display: none;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.result-label {
color: #666;
}
.result-value {
font-weight: 800;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.total-cost {
font-size: 1.4em;
color: #27ae60;
}
.article-content {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: inherit;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.article-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #ecf0f1;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
.article-content h3 {
color: #34495e;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.article-content p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.article-content ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.article-content li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.info-box {
background: #e8f6f3;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 5px;
margin: 20px 0;
border-left: 4px solid #1abc9c;
}
function calculateFreight() {
// Input Retrieval
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('shipmentWeight').value);
var len = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pkgLength').value);
var wid = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pkgWidth').value);
var hei = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pkgHeight').value);
var dist = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tripDistance').value);
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ratePerMile').value);
var fuel = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuelSurcharge').value);
var access = parseFloat(document.getElementById('accessorials').value);
var dimFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dimFactor').value);
// Default handling
if (isNaN(fuel)) fuel = 0;
if (isNaN(access)) access = 0;
if (isNaN(dimFactor) || dimFactor 0) {
density = weight / cubicFeet;
}
// 3. Estimate Freight Class (Simplified NMFC Logic)
var estClass = "Unknown";
if (density >= 50) estClass = "50";
else if (density >= 35) estClass = "55";
else if (density >= 30) estClass = "60";
else if (density >= 22.5) estClass = "65";
else if (density >= 15) estClass = "70";
else if (density >= 13.5) estClass = "77.5";
else if (density >= 12) estClass = "85";
else if (density >= 10.5) estClass = "92.5";
else if (density >= 9) estClass = "100";
else if (density >= 8) estClass = "110";
else if (density >= 7) estClass = "125";
else if (density >= 6) estClass = "150";
else if (density >= 5) estClass = "175";
else if (density >= 4) estClass = "200";
else if (density >= 3) estClass = "250";
else if (density >= 2) estClass = "300";
else if (density >= 1) estClass = "400";
else estClass = "500";
// 4. Calculate Dimensional Weight
// Formula: (L x W x H) / DimFactor
var dimWeight = cubicInches / dimFactor;
// 5. Determine Chargeable Weight
var chargeableWeight = Math.max(weight, dimWeight);
// 6. Cost Calculation
// Base Linehaul = Distance * Rate
var baseLinehaul = dist * rate;
// Fuel Cost = Base Linehaul * (Fuel% / 100)
var fuelCost = baseLinehaul * (fuel / 100);
// Total = Base + Fuel + Accessorials
var totalCost = baseLinehaul + fuelCost + access;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('resVolume').innerText = cubicFeet.toFixed(2) + " cu ft";
document.getElementById('resDensity').innerText = density.toFixed(2) + " lbs/cu ft";
document.getElementById('resClass').innerText = estClass;
document.getElementById('resDimWeight').innerText = dimWeight.toFixed(2) + " lbs";
document.getElementById('resChargeable').innerText = chargeableWeight.toFixed(2) + " lbs";
document.getElementById('resLinehaul').innerText = "$" + baseLinehaul.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resFuel').innerText = "$" + fuelCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('freightResult').style.display = 'block';
}
How to Calculate Freight Rates Accurately
Calculating freight rates accurately is essential for logistics managers, ecommerce business owners, and shippers who want to protect their profit margins. Unlike standard parcel shipping, freight shipping (LTL and FTL) involves complex variables including density, freight class, dimensional weight, and fluctuating fuel surcharges.
Key Metric: The "Chargeable Weight" is often the most critical factor. Carriers will charge you based on whichever is greater: the actual gross weight of the shipment or the dimensional weight.
Understanding Freight Density and Class
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) defines freight classes to standardize pricing across different commodities. The class is determined primarily by the density of the shipment (measured in pounds per cubic foot).
- High Density (Heavy/Compact): Lower Freight Class (e.g., Class 50). These are cheaper to ship per pound because they are hard to damage and efficient to stow.
- Low Density (Light/Bulky): Higher Freight Class (e.g., Class 250 or 400). These take up significant space relative to their weight (like ping pong balls) and cost more to ship.
Using the calculator above, you can input your shipment's dimensions and weight to instantly determine its density and estimated NMFC class.
Dimensional Weight (DIM Weight) Explained
Dimensional weight is a pricing technique used by carriers to ensure they are paid for the space a package occupies, not just its weight. The formula typically used is:
(Length × Width × Height) ÷ DIM Factor
While standard parcel carriers might use a factor of 139 or 166, freight carriers may use different divisors depending on the contract or service level. Always check your carrier's tariff for the exact DIM factor.
Components of the Total Freight Rate
When calculating your final shipping cost, you must account for three main buckets:
- Linehaul Charge: This is the base rate calculated by multiplying the distance (miles) by the rate per mile or rate per hundredweight (CWT).
- Fuel Surcharge: This is a percentage added to the linehaul charge, adjusted weekly based on the National U.S. Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Price.
- Accessorials: These are fees for extra services required to complete the delivery, such as Liftgate service, Residential delivery, Inside delivery, or Limited Access locations.
Tips for Reducing Freight Costs
To secure the most accurate and affordable rates, ensure you measure your pallets precisely. Overhanging items can increase the billable dimensions significantly. Furthermore, accurately declaring your freight class prevents "re-classing" fees, which occur when a carrier inspects your freight and finds it belongs to a more expensive class than stated on the Bill of Lading (BOL).